Goodwin elected Board President, Saidel elected Vice President for 2018–19 school year
A new year means a new board of education in Cherry Hill Township. On Jan. 3, at the board’s annual reorganization meeting at Malberg Administration Building, three new members were sworn in, while a new president and vice president were selected.
Joining the board for three-year terms following their election in November were Laurie Neary, David Rossi and Sally Tong. The trio filled seats vacated by long-time board member Kathy Judge — who departed after more than 10 years of service — Ken Tomlinson, Jr. and J. Barry Dickinson.
Eric Goodwin, who has served as a board member since 2008, gained a promotion to board president thanks to a unanimous 9–0 vote. Goodwin had previously served as board vice president since January 2017. He will take over for Dickinson, who had served as president for the last two years.
Elevated to vice president, also by a unanimous 9–0 vote, was Lisa Saidel. Saidel was initially elected to the board in January 2015, and was appointed chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Committee and also appointed to the Strategic Planning Commission last January.
The board also made three appointments at the meeting: Carol Matlack was chosen as the district representative to the Camden County School Boards Association Executive Committee; Jane Scarpellino was chosen as the district representative to the New Jersey School Boards Association; Saidel was additionally appointed as the district representative to the Camden County Educational Services Commission. All three appointments were effective Jan. 3, lasting until 2020.
Public comment following the swearing-in was more cordial and less contentious than in previous meetings. Resident and frequent commenter Rick Short welcomed the new board members but advised, “you once sat in the back of the bus, but now you’re up front driving the bus.”
Cherry Hill Special Education PTA President Jen Naddeo also welcomed the board’s three new participants, then implored it as a whole to give the district’s Alternative High School, located within Malberg, a seat on the board and a voice in the decision-making process.
